Three cruise ships due in port at Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is heaving with visitors this weekend with three cruise ships due in port in three days. First to arrive will be the Golden Princess with about 2500 mainly Australian passengers on board, returning for its fourth visit this season today; followed by Radiance of the Seas with 2100 passengers tomorrow; and Norwegian Jewel on Monday with 2300 passengers.

Byelection nominations

Nominations for those wishing to stand in the Far North District Council's Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward byelection opened yesterday.

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The byelection was called after Councillor Willow-Jean Prime resigned from her role with the council when she was selected as a Labour list MP during the September 23 General Election. To be eligible to stand for the council, candidates must be a New Zealand citizen and a parliamentary elector (anywhere in New Zealand). Candidates must also be nominated by two people who are registered on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll within the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward.

Nomination papers can be obtained from the council's Kerikeri Service Centre; the electoral office (Election Services, Level 2, 198 Federal St, Auckland); download them from the council website (www.fndc.govt.nz); or telephone 0800 922 822 to have one posted out directly.

Vintage Railway volunteers

The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway is looking for volunteers to help keep its shop at Kawakawa railway station open over the summer.

With school holidays fast approaching the railway trust is already busy and would like to keep the shop open as much as possible until the season ends. But it needs volunteers to help.

If you like meeting people, especially visitors, and love railways, the trust wants to hear from you.

If this idea appeals, please ring Glenys on 021-757-105 or Anne on 09-407-3458.


Top scouts

Four Kerikeri teenagers have been awarded Scouting's top honour, an achievement earned by just 2 per cent of New Zealand Scouts.

Jack Dalbeth Hudson (15), Mathew Hutching (15), Mike Michaux (15) and Harry Sizer (14) were presented with their Chief Scout's awards last week by Scouting New Zealand chief executive Josh Tabor, who travelled from Wellington for the occasion.

The boys joined Scouts at the age of 10, working their way up through bronze, silver and gold medals to the "pinnacle of scouting".

One of the toughest hurdles was completing the Scout's Challenge, which involved planning, organising and completing a 150km journey using three modes of transport over a weekend. The boys cycled the 84km Twin Coast Cycle Trail from Horeke to Opua, then sailed to Urupukapuka Island, where they camped overnight. The following day they sailed to Windsor Landing before kayaking 4km to the Stone Store.

Funding appeal

An average of 950 people a month visited Whangarei theatre and ONEONESIX in the past year to watch, listen, create or participate in performances.

ONEONESIX receives no funding and relies on volunteer hours for building maintenance, administration, communication and management. All the rent paid for use of the facility goes back into development and building maintenance.

Next year the company intends applying for operation funding with the formation of a ONEONESIX trust. Meanwhile, it is seeking help for this year's rates and utilities bill of $5276.60. A year after its last crowdfunding drive, the company is calling again for support through a Givealittle page: ONEONESIX Whangarei.